Three Reasons Why it is Important to Wear Retainers

After a course of treatment from our specialist orthodontists at Whitetree Orthodontic Centre, you will want to keep your new smile just as it is. We recommend that everyone uses some form of retention to achieve this. For most patients, clear removable retainers are worn in bed at night. Some patients also have a fine wire glued to the inside surface of the incisors (a bonded retainer wire) so that these teeth are held securely day and night.

Often misunderstood or neglected, retention is one of the most important parts of your treatment, but why is that? Here are five reasons why your retainers are so important.

1: Relapse Can Happen Soon After Treatment

Orthodontic work moves your teeth away from the position they are used to, and depending on the complexity of treatment and the patient’s individual circumstances, teeth can quickly move out of line after treatment is completed, sometimes very quickly. As a result, retention in that early aftercare period is vital to keep your smile as straight and beautiful as possible.

2: Better Value For Money

Simply put, the less treatment you need, the less expensive a beautiful smile is. Retainers are an affordable, easy way to keep your teeth looking as good as possible for as long as possible. If you wear your retainers well you will almost certainly avoid the need for a repeat course of orthodontic treatment.

3: Lifetime Straight Teeth

There are a number of factors that can affect the alignment of teeth over the course of a lifetime, even if you have worn retainers well while your new smile settles in. All of us age and the balance of forces between our tongue and cheeks changes. Also there is a lifelong tendency for teeth at the back of the mouth to push forward, crowding the front teeth. This is true even for people who have never had orthodontic treatment and naturally had straight teeth when young.

Fortunately, retainers are easy to wear and can be worn long term, not only to allow the teeth to settle in after treatment, but also to prevent future changes.

For more information, contact us at Whitetree Orthodontic Centre to learn more.